Ancient Isles: England, Ireland and Scotland

Arrive in London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, and transfer to Portsmouth to embark the ship on your journey around the British and Irish Isles.

Arrive in the Cornish port of Fowey (pronounced “Foy”), known for its quaint village streets, and picturesque harbor. Hike a Cornish coastal trail or enjoy a guided walk through the village of Fowey with a local. Alternatively, venture into the countryside to a family estate to delve into the Cornish history of land ownership and heritage.

The Isles of Scilly can trace its roots back to prehistoric times. More than 140 different islands make up this designated area of outstanding natural beauty. Take the time to explore one of England's most pristine beaches, and watch for migrating birds that frequent the islands. Weather permitting, enjoy a Zodiac ride among some of the most popular residents of the islands: the local seal colony.

Arrive in this colorful port city on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, intimately tied to maritime history and the great Irish Emigration. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre and learn about the momentous events that took place here—from the 1912 departure of the Titanic to the successful rescue of passengers from the torpedoed Lusitania and the millions of Irish who departed these shores in search of a better life. Immerse yourself in an afternoon of Irish traditions at a local hurling club: learn about and try your hand at hurling—an ancient Gaelic Irish team sport played with a wooden stick and a small ball—enjoy time at the clubhouse that doubles as a bar, listen to live Gaelic music and chat with locals.

Over the next two days, enjoy the windswept landscapes of the Dingle peninsula and surrounding islands. Get photo tips from a National Geographic Photography Expert as you sail past the uninhabited Blasket Islands, on which you’ll observe a wide array of birds including storm petrels, shearwaters, terns and gulls. Keep an eye out for recently fledged jumping auks—still downy and unable to fly—as they make their way out to sea accompanied by their dads. You may also be able to spot pods of dolphins that call these waters home. The exploration continues on land through the southern corner of Ireland with its cozy local pubs, cultural centers and country walks. Choose from a few options: delve into the heart of Irish culture, language and history at the Blasket visitor center, where you’ll learn about the islands’ 1953 evacuation; hit the road on one most scenic drives on Ireland’s west coast—part of the Atlantic Way; or set out on a hike boasting incredible views over Dingle’s bay and peninsula.

Visit the sacred island of Iona and its 13th-century abbey, long revered as a Christian pilgrimage site and believed to be where the Book of Kells originated. Several Scottish kings, including the actual Macbeth, are buried in the royal graveyard here. This afternoon, explore uninhabited and windswept Staffa Island. Weather permitting, board Zodiacs and cruise through the dramatic Fingal’s Cave, land on the exposed beach, walk amongst the famed six-sided volcanic basalt columns and photograph the island’s puffin colony.

As you sail south along the northern coast of Scotland, admire the Outer Hebrides rising out of the North Atlantic. Conditions permitting, embark Zodiacs to land on the Isle of Lewis. There, visit the striking Calanais Standing Stones, a 5,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site that predates Stonehenge. Explore by foot across multiple sites that served as locations for rituals for 2,000 years.

Shetland is characterized by deep-seated cultural traditions and dramatic landscapes. Explore these rural islands with their mix of cliffside lighthouses, ancient ruins, windswept communities and pastures that have been gathering the bounties of the sea for ages. Choose from activities that bring you closer to nature, to the people who thrive in these untamed environments and the history that pours out from the land itself.

A visit to rugged Orkney includes witnessing the renowned Scapa Flow, one of the world’s great natural harbors and a key historical World War I and II site. Alternatively, discover the Stone Age megaliths of the Ring of Brodgar and the 5,000-year-old stone slab village of Skara Brae. This afternoon, take a walking tour of Kirkwall—Orkney’s capital and a showplace of ancient Viking history thanks to its proximity to Norway—and step inside the majestic St. Magnus Cathedral, a sandstone landmark that took three centuries to build.

Start off the day with a panoramic drive through “the Granite City” before exploring Aberdeenshire’s countryside. Choose to visit a local Highland cattle farm, where you’ll learn about its award-winning products and practices. Or visit your choice of local castles, one dating from the 16th century with gardens and grounds of a wealthy estate, or another perched on the edge of the North Sea and explored by coastal trails. Transfer back to the ship later this afternoon and enjoy an evening at sea, keeping an eye out for the resident group of bottlenose dolphins.

Disembark in Edinburgh and transfer to the airport for flights home or choose to explore the Scottish Highlands on a post-voyage extension.